Streeting warns against 'expensive' Labour leadership pledges

A Labour leadership contest must not become a race of who can offer "the most expensive and popular pledges to the party faithful at the expense of the British people", Wes Streeting has said.

The former health secretary told an audience in central London he would not use a leadership campaign to make costly promises that he would have to later reverse.

Both Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have said they would stand in a contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, but neither have confirmed whether they would trigger such a contest.

Streeting told the BBC he had the backing of the 81 Labour MPs he would need in order to launch a leadership challenge.

He later added that "for the avoidance of doubt" there would be a contest.

Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France, Sir Keir reiterated his intention "not to walk away" but to "carry on with what I was elected to do".

Streeting said he hoped that, following the Makerfield by-election on Thursday, the prime minister would "reflect on his own position and set out a timetable" for his departure.

If Burnham wins the by-election and becomes an MP, he will be able to initiate or join a leadership race - something he is currently unable to do as Greater Manchester mayor.

Streeting resigned from government last month, accusing the prime minister of "drift" and a lack of vision.

In an hour-long speech, he set out his own vision for the economy, seeking to present himself as the financially responsible candidate who would encourage growth and bring taxes down.

Polls have suggested that Burnham is more popular with Labour Party members and Streeting himself said he would be the "underdog" in a contest.

But the former health secretary seemed keen to sketch out the battleground and strike the first blows, in a "battle of ideas" over the party's future direction.

In an apparent dig at his leadership rival, Streeting cautioned against treating the bond markets, where the government borrows money, as "Bond villains," adding: "We must reject the reckless approach that says 'stuff the bond markets'".

Last year, Burnham told the New Statesman magazine: "We've got to get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets."

Earlier this year, in a bid to reassure international investors, Burnham promised to stick to the government's existing rules on borrowing.

In his speech, Streeting also contested Burnham's argument that the north of England had suffered from 40 years of "neoliberalism".

"It's more complicated than that," he said, adding: "We've been through several waves of change that have delivered genuine strengths, but also deep weaknesses."